Unshadowing Pan

Goodbyes

Despite wanting to fight the ice monster, I was forced to school by Emma who got a call for my absences. Pulling out my books from my locker I stared down at them, sighing.

"You look excited to be here." Allan grinned as he leaned against the blue lockers.

"Emma made me," I groaned recalling this morning as she practically dragged me out of bed.

Since Emma had found out I've been ditching  school she has now been keeping tabs on me. Mary Margaret, David, and Emma were consulting me last night on the importance of school and education. For my own freedom, I agreed.

"You look tired," He said, pointing to my hair I didn't really have time to do anything about it this morning.

"Thanks," I grinned slamming the locker shut.

Allan walked by my side as we made our way through the busy halls and to our next class.

"Aria-"he spoke up as we entered the classroom. I looked up and met his eyes.
"Can I tell you something?"

"What is it?" I asked searching his stern face. He was serious, he looked different serious. Just as he had opened his mouth to answer, the bell rang as the remaining students rushed into class and took their seats.

"Later," I whispered to him, before taking my seat.

The rest of the day was boring lectures. At lunch I tried to bring up my earlier conversation with Allan, but he shrugged it off and ignored that it had any importance. So I shrugged it off as well.

I was in English when the bell had rung declaring the school day over. I walked out the class to bump into Allan who steadied me with his hands.

"Looks like you made it through the day, congrats," he grinned. I nudged him playfully.

"Thanks," I answered. "It was brutal."

"Emma just wants you to do good," he reassured. "But I'm sure you'd rather be at Granny's drinking a hot cocoa by Pan."

I shrugged. "Probably," I grinned.

Allan and I were laughing as we walked down the steps of the school when I spotted Pan right by a tree. A few girls giggled as they walked passed him.

"Speak of the devil," Allen said walking down to greet him.

Allen and Pan were... cordial. Though that was for my sake, which I was very grateful for.

"Allen told me you were falling asleep in History," He said.

Leave it to Allen to tell on me. I sighed. "Can you blame me... You took a few classes before dropping out. You should know the struggle."

Pan only took school seriously for a few months, then quickly gave up before getting a job at Granny's. Despite that, he was doing well for himself. He began carving wooden instruments as favors for a while, which led to him doing it as a side gig. Of course his pan flute was his most cherished work. 

Allan yanwed. "I know when I'm not wanted." He stretched his arms out  turning towards me. "Til next time Aria. You're really the coolest friend," he grinned. "Pan," he nodded respectively before walking off onto the sidewalk. I watched as he had turned a corner and disappeared from view.